Processes in place to decide on coal projects: Abbott

Opposition Leader
Tony Abbott
has shied away from giving a Coalition commitment to approve major new mining projects while visiting regional NSW, where there is community opposition against coal seam gas (CSG) exploration.

In Tamworth on Friday, Mr Abbott was asked if a Coalition government would support proposals including
BHP Billiton
's Caroona coal project in northern NSW.

"There are normal (approval) processes in place and those processes should be allowed to operate, but the point I make is that mining is an important part of our prosperity," Mr Abbott told reporters.

"Mining is an important part of jobs in areas such as Tamworth, in areas such as the Hunter Valley.

"Yes, it's got to be sensible mining, it's got to be mining under the best possible environmental standards. The last thing any sensible government would want to do is stop dead the mining industry in its tracks."

BHP is seeking state and federal government approval for the Caroona project, while Shenhua Watermark is seeking a go-ahead for an open-cut coal mine at nearby Gunnedah.

Farmers and landholders have protested against test drilling for the Caroona project, arguing the activity poses a significant threat to the water catchment.

During his visit to Tamworth in support of Nationals Senate leader
Barnaby Joyce
's tilt at the seat of New England, Mr Abbott said the Coalition "has rural Australia at its heart".